A detailed list of 40 upcoming events

The weather is like April tempertures this week... so if you've felt like a bear hibernating this winter, come out and join us! We have a fantasic line up of events, serving up high quality food and drink and the guest list is always impressive!

A few events, like Henley are already filling up fast, and will sell out, so here's your a chance to save the date. More events will be added...

A few top tips: For most of our events buying your tickets early means you'll save at least £5. Also, if you know you can't make it, RSVP no, and you'll be removed from the automatic event reminder list.

Hope you can make tomorrow night's miniTASTING, we'll be focusing on:

Côtes du Rhône (coat deuh ROHN) translates to 'Slopes or Hills of the Rhône' Its a #wine easy on the purse and palate! -from twitter: @tastour-

COOKERY CLASS: Easy Indian Curries – Getting Clever with Spices 26 Feb[masked]:30 AM • £85 ● Ealing Broadway - RSVP ON MEETUP (3 tickets left)Learn how to cook an authentic Indian curry! Join our multi award-winning curry expert for a leisurely, guided stroll to learn all the best places for buying the finest ingredients for your curry, as well as her coveted cooking techniques.

Georgian Wine Tasting & Supra Feast29 Feb[masked]:30 PM • £50 ● Victoria - RSVP ON MEETUP (5 tickets left)Dine like a Czar! Enjoy live music and sample over 10 authentic Russian dishes along with some top quality Georgian wines at Sobranie: a traditional Russian restaurant known almost exclusively to an inner society circle of ex-pat Russians. Visit www.geowines.co.uk for more info

Party at Sipsmith's: Exclusive Vodka and Gin Distillery Tour03 Mar[masked]:30 PM • £55 Shepherd's Bush - RSVP ON MEETUP (2 tickets left)Do you enjoy vodka? How about a deliciously fresh tasting gin and tonic? Have you ever wondered how they make vodka or gin? Receive a FREE bottle as you join us for an exclusive ‘behind the scenes’ look at this fascinating process, along with a guided tasting, led by the founder of award-winning Sipsmith Vodka and Gin, Sam Galsworthy.

Discover London: Brick Lane - coffee, curry, courgettes and claret10 Mar[masked]:45 PM • £12 ● Brick Lane - RSVP ON MEETUPAre you enticed by East London’s vibrant and culturally diverse atmosphere?Do thoughts of Monmouth coffee, curry, zucchini and fine claret wine get your mouth watering?Fancy a taste of life in the bohemian East End? Then join us for a leisurely stroll and experience the sights, the sounds, and the tantalizing flavors unique to Brick Lane.

Introduction to Champagne and sparkling wine speedTASTING30 Mar[masked]:00 PM • £45 ● Bank (Friday Night) - RSVP ON MEETUPKeen to improve your champagne knowledge, impress your friends, shop smarter?Taste over 14 different sparkling wines & Champagnes, including a few classics, like the best vintages. Tastour’s fun night of learning starts off with canapés and is filled with one-liners, anecdotes and eye-popping facts. What is speedTASTING? This is not only a great way to have fun with friends, and to make new and interesting ones, but you can do it in a relaxed, fun environment whilst tasting and learning a thing or 2 about your favorite wines! What could be better?

Walk the Oxford/Cambrigde Boat Race Course7 April[masked]:00PM ● £3 ● Putney - RSVP ON MEETUPKeen to learn more about this prestigious 187 year-old event? Would you like to experience the wonderful, social atmosphere and array of exquisite food and drink on offer? Then come and soak up the sun with us!

THE FLOATING CLASSROOM: boat ride & wine tasting from Camden to Little Venice21 Apr[masked]:00 PM • £60 ● Paddington - RSVP ON MEETUPEnjoy a leisurely boat ride exploring the Grand Canal’s scenic and historic section between Little Venice and Camden! Savor champagne and delicious canapés, followed by a guided wine tasting of premium wines as you explore New World Camden vs Old World Little Venice.

CULINARY WALKING TOUR: Afternoon Tea themed tour of Mayfair28 Apr[masked]:45 PM • £12 ● Mayfair - RSVP ON MEETUPAre you passionate about exploring tea and all of its wondrous varieties? Would you enjoy visiting and learning about famous pubs? Join us for ‘Afternoon Tea in Mayfair’ which focuses on tea, expensive hotels, famous pubs and other foodie hotspots in Mayfair.

CULINARY WALKING TOUR: Marylebone12 May[masked]:45 PM • £12 ● Marylebone - RSVP ON MEETUPKeen to explore the back streets and mews with their well-known residents and historic pubs?How about trying the famous cheese that launched La Formorgerie Cheese Shop? This fascinating walk focuses on visiting famous pubs, exploring interesting people and some great food and drink related places you’ll definitely want to return to!

BON VIVANT: Fine Wine and Artisan Cheese Tasting at Exclusive Tennis Club19 May[masked]:00 PM • £40 ● Holland Park - RSVP ON MEETUPJoin us for a lavish affair in the secluded, beautiful gardens of one of London's most exclusive Tennis Clubs. Socialize outdoors whilst enjoying the tennis, some fine, handmade cheeses, and some top-of-the-range wines, some of which would cost up to £40 per GLASS in a restaurant!

SECRET WINE & CHEESE TASTING: ENGLISH ROSẺ IN AN ENGLISH ROSE GARDEN26 May[masked]:00 PM • TBC £35 ● Central London - RSVP ON MEETUPExperience the delightful quality of award-winning English Rosé wine. Meet and mingle with other interesting, like-minded Tastourians in the relaxed, friendly atmosphere of a beautiful English rose garden – the perfect outdoors afternoon social!

Drink and Draw hosted at one of London's leading Supper Clubs... details to be confirmed

Discover London: Culinary St James09 Jun[masked]:45 PM • £12 ● St James - RSVP ON MEETUPBe intrigued by the ‘secret world of the wealthy’. Be fascinated by the exclusive ‘men only’ clubs from the 1800’s. Be delighted by the posh eateries and foodie delights along the way.Join us for this fascinating, leisurely guided walk.

IWC TASTING: THE WORLD'S BEST WINES AT LORDS CRICKET GROUND - RSVP ON MEETUP20 Jun[masked]:00 PM • £15, with promo code TASTOUR (FREE for 10 Bon Vivants) ● St John's WoodA rare opportunity to spend some time outdoors, enjoying not only your fellow Tastourians as you taste and discuss some of the hundreds of fine wines on offer, but also to soak up the atmosphere in perhaps the most historically important stadium in world cricket.

Royal Ascot & the Pearl of Prosecco, Bisol. 23 Jun[masked]:00 AM • £150 ● Embankment - RSVP ON MEETUPIt’s Tastour’s 4th year at the most popular and prestigious horse racing event of the year!Learn how to bet on the horses, and enjoy a wide variety of luxury Prosecco at THE social event of the year, as you meet and mingle with like-minded, interesting people who also enjoy good taste and great company!"It was the most British day I've had since moving here a year ago. I saw the queen and won a little cash and got totally swept up in the people watching. ” - Lisa

PRE- ASCOT/HENLEY HAT PARTY (TO BE CONFIRMED)

Henley Royal Regatta

30 Jun[masked]:00 AM • £90 ● Pickup Shepherd's Bush, Return to Embankment - RSVP ON MEETUPCome to Henley-on-Thames, one of England’s most charming villages, famous for its annual regatta (rowing event). Celebrate more than 170 years of rowing tradition, as well as the wonderful food, drink, and socializing that goes with it. Taste and learn about Demi-Sec and Brut Champagne.

CHOCOLATE TASTING WALK & PICNIC: THE EPPING FOREST30 Sep[masked]:00 PM • £25 ● North East London - RSVP ON MEETUPExplore all five of your senses!If you love chocolate, and enjoy the simple pleasure of a leisurely stroll & picnic surrounded by nature’s beauty, then join us as we walk Epping Forest and savour over 15 tasting samples of delicious chocolate, including luxury truffles from www.ramallos.co.uk!

Cocktail Masterclasses @ RUM FEST.CO.UK (The world's largest rum festival)13 Oct[masked]:00 PM • £20 (FREE for 10 Bon Vivants) - RSVP ON MEETUPThe UK RumFest is the ultimate rum experience for rum drinkers, rum aficionados and rum lovers who have all traveled to the tropics to sample the unique music, the delicious food, the partying, and the people associated with the drinking and the production of rum.

BON VIVANT: Fine Wine for Autumn at Exclusive Tennis Club13 Oct[masked]:00 PM • £40 ● Holland Park - RSVP ON MEETUPIt’s a lavish affair in the secluded, beautiful gardens of one of London's most exclusive Tennis Clubs. Socialize outdoors whilst enjoying some tennis, a fine wine tasting with top-of-the-range wines (some of which would cost up to £40 per GLASS in a restaurant!) and various types of Artisan Cheese.

CULINARY WALKING TOUR: Belgravia17 Nov[masked]:45 PM • £12 ● Belgravia - RSVP ON MEETUPExplore some of the most historically fascinating pubs in London. Visit pubs associated with The Beatles, the disappearance of Lord Lucan and ‘The Great Train Robbery’.

DISCOVER LONDON: Festive Feasts & Mulled Wine Walking Tour8th or the 15th Dec[masked]:30 PM • £15 ● Oxford Circus ● To Be Confirmed - RSVP ON MEETUPDiscover the hidden gastronomic delights away from the madness of Oxford StreetFinish of by warming up by the fire and sipping mulled wine, with other interesting, like-minded Tastourians!

We're about:

Have fun, meet new people, explore London and learn a bit along the way!

Hopefully this will give you an idea of what the group is like:

Hello Tastourians!

This week kicked of the start of the 2014 season. I must say, I feel a bit like a giggly school girl, waiting to see her friends after the summer holidays!

On Tuesday, we attended the Decanter Greek, Bulgaria, and Italy wine tasting at the elegant Chandos House. It was so great to catch up with so many members, especially those that I haven't seen in years!

They reminded me of all the great events we've had. Almost 300 of them over the past 5 years, in fact. It was a happy trip down memory lane. I've been looking through the photos and thinking back about how much the group has grown, and how much I've learned as well.

We had one of the most amazing BBQ's at my members only tennis club near Holland Park. The highlight of this tasting was the 1994 Brunello, and magnum vs standard bottle of Ruinart. Not to mention the food was to die for!!!

And check out those little plates with the glass holders, I love little touches like this :)

A few of you have been asking how the group works:

Basically, I dream up the events, mostly things I would like to do, but there is no where else to find it. Then I post it on the group and keep my fingers crossed that you would like to do it too! We try to avoid the cookie cutter, 'let's meet at the pub type of events' or standard meetups... I like you to take more from your experience and learn why you are there.

The Art of Wine & Hand Painting wine glasses - This was amazing!!!

What is a Tastourian?

There are over 15,000 people (Tastourians) following me on Twitter @tastour, and after a few glasses of wine, late last year I tweeted:

"We eat well, drink well and feel less guilty if culture/scenery is involved" = @tastourian

Exclusive English Wine Tasting in our Cornwall based Executive Suite. After the tasting we went to a 1940's swing dancing Fish and Chip Ball. We visited wineries, walked on the beach and even took a tracker ride through a apple orchard.

If you enjoy experiences like this, than you are a Tastourian!!!!

What is a Bon Vivant?

A Bon Vivant, is someone who loves the finer things in life. So I guess you could say all Tastourians are Bon Vivants. In the context of this group, a Bon Vivant, is someone who pays a monthly or annual fee. These members are looking to get a bit more out of the events. By attending often, they have created their own social group and look forward to seeing these members as the years go by. Although I place a big emphasis on everyone getting involved, as Bon Vivant's attend between 10-20 events per year, they seem to create their own subgroups outside the meetup, even going on holiday together. In short, it's discounted access to a 'social club' - and you get free food and wine. More info on membership here: http://tastour.com/member-registration/

Pre-Ascot: A lesson on the history of Hats &Vintage Champagne tastingat a Hat hire shop I

I've noticed that a lot of the events seem to repeat, are they the same?

No. No two events are ever the same. There are always different products to taste, different people to meet. And I always improve each event. This year the miniTASTING's are going to feature a different flavour of home made popcorn - how cool is that!!!

It seems that there are often more people signed up on meetup than number of tickets available:

Tastour has become a London network, not just a meetup. Not all of the people signed up on the meetup have paid. For that reason, I do not monitor the meetup, as I am able to get the full list of those attending on the main site, www.tastour.com

There are different prices listed: Because of the commitment to venues and tasting samples, almost all of our events require payment upfront. I try to keep the cost as low as possible, unfortunately, it just seems like the price of everything is going up.

Everyone receives a discount when you book in advance.

Our paid members, Bon Vivant's receive an additional discount. This is to encourage people to attend more, and create a community. Bon Vivant's also receive free tickets to all miniTASTINGs and we distribute the number of free tickets to third party events evenly. Each event has it's own limitations, so do check the T&C before you apply.

To many event reminder emails?

If you rsvp NO, this will remove you from the reminder list. Shortly I will have a bulk of the years events posted, when I do, it's best to RSVP no, all at once, then you won't miss out on the new events. Or you can change your settings in your profile. But you will not receive mails about special offers of spare free tickets.

Having a problem booking or a question about an event:

Please email. I'm always happy to help.

I think that's probably enough for this mail!!! I hope you have a better understanding of how it all works, and that I managed to make you feel that it's an amazing group to be a part of.

I'm so excited for 2014 and hope you are too!

Cheers,

Kelly

PS- Lot's of great events this year, including our 5th birthday party (and we're bringing back the beer events and introduction speedtastings!!!) Stay tuned!!!

Please don't forget to login to receive your discount. And when requesting a free ticket, please post on the meetup page. I am also happy for you to text me last minute to let me know you are coming to an event.

CLICK HERE for a shiny HTML email with most of our 2013 spring/summer events listed.

This meetup organises award-winning food and drink experiences for Londoners who are interested in sampling high quality gastronomic treats.

Events are priced from £5 and range from food and wine tastings to exclusive dinners, day trips and walking tours as well as monthly mini wine tastings and social networking nights. The events encourage lively debate about scrumptious food and drink sampling, making it easy to join a group of friends to laugh, taste and exchange tips with.

Some events are more stuctured than others - we have hosted over 75 different 'themed events, and I keep coming up with new ones every day. The host of the event is usually an expert in the subject and the evening will begin with a fun presentation.

“ If you like trying new food/wine but would also like to know a bit about what you are eating/drinking without the teaching being intrusive or snobby. It's a good bet. ”— Angela

"This was my first event and Kelly made me feel very welcome. She is very friendly and the event was very well managed. the people I met were a lovely mixed bunch of ages and interests. I had a fun afternoon laughing and chatting with lots of different people." — annette

About the meetup:

I started the meetup as a hobby 2 years ago, because I love meeting people, and learning about new things. I wanted to mix personal development with socialising. Over 1,000 people have joined us - many new friends have been made (and a few couples too) and lives changed (it's true, I've heard the stories and you'll just have to see for yourself) our unique approach has paid off. In 2010 we were crowned Wine Educator of the Year and shortlisted for Wine Club of the Year by the International Wine Challenge.

I have so many exciting partnerships in the works and new experiences to share with you, I am really looking forward to 2012

Membership fees:

There are no fees to join and attend events. Our events are excellent value and I really pride myself on going above and beyond.

A member commented the other day Tastour’s events are like a strawberry daiquiri – you always finish wanting another one!’ So I decided to introduced a Bon Vivant membership, which gives you up to 70% off our events! You can attend our monthly wine tastings for free, as well receive invites to exclusive dinners and events. See the website for more details.

In the meantime, come along for a fiver and enjoy a mini-wine tasting and social drinks night (You even get a free glass of wine to kick start your night!)